The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, would like to invite you to provide feedback on the development of a National Biosecurity Strategy
We are additionally delighted to advise the appointment of Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA), joining other peak industry bodies, in participating in the recently formed National Biosecurity Strategy Reference Group.
The Australian, state and territory governments, through the National Biosecurity Committee, are developing a national biosecurity strategy with key partners to provide a strategic direction for the Australian biosecurity system through to 2030.
The national strategy will seek to align our collective efforts towards a common purpose and provide a clear commitment to prioritised action and investment.
This will ensure Australia's biosecurity system remains fit to meet the challenges of the next decade.
Share your views
As part of our initial consultation, we invite you to share your views on what a national biosecurity strategy should focus on.
Tell us what you think is important and what the strategy should achieve.
To have your say take our survey now.
Submit your feedback by 26 November 2021.
Your thoughts will help inform the development of the national biosecurity strategy.
Additionally the department is seeking engagement on the draft National Hitchhiker (Contaminating) Plant Pest Action Plan 2022–2032 currently out for consultation.
You can provide your feedback online through the department's 'Have Your Say' forum or directly via email to plantpestpreparedeness@awe.gov.au.
About the Plan:
The draft National Hitchhiker (Contaminating) Plant Pest Action Plan 2022–2032 has been developed by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, in partnership with industry, and state and territory governments.
The plan provides a national approach to preventing hitchhiker plant pests coming to Australia and establishing here.
Priority areas in the plan identify actions to build national capability to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the threat of hitchhiker plant pests.
These serious pests could enter Australia through a variety of means including 'hitchhiking' in luggage and shipping containers. They are able to spread globally through trade and movement of people and are often able to remain undetected and survive long periods in transit.
These pests are not present in Australia and pose a major threat to agricultural industries through production losses and potential impacts on our international trade.
They could cause significant impacts worth millions of dollars annually to plant industries, and their impact on communities and the environment would be unquantifiable.
As supply chains advance and are able to move goods around the world with greater speed, the risk of these pests entering Australia will continue to grow.
The department requests that you read the draft National Hitchhiker (Contaminating) Plant Pest Action Plan 2022–2032 and provide your feedback on the actions within the priority areas of prevention, detection, response, and cross-cutting issues.
Please provide your feedback by 14 January 2022.
Please let plantpestpreparedness@awe.gov.au know if you have problems meeting this timeframe, or if you have any questions.
When providing comment, please consider whether the actions are appropriate, and whether additional actions are required.
Once the consultation period has closed your feedback will be collated and considered.
Your submission will help us finalise the National Hitchhiker (Contaminating) Plant Pest Action Plan 2022–2032 and to prepare the implementation schedule.
Sal Milici - Head of Border & Biosecurity - FTA / APSA
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